Tree harvester

ABSTRACT

A novel and improved tree-harvesting method and apparatus adapted to cut, delimb, top, sort, transport, and deposit a plurality of trees in two sorted stacks at a desired collection point. The tree harvester features a horizontally oriented mast which is mounted on a mobile vehicle. A butt shear and felling grapple are mounted at one end of the mast and are adapted to grasp and sever a standing tree and pivot it to a substantially horizontal position overlying the mast where it is grasped and securely held by a transfer grapple. A combination delimber and top shear is mounted for longitudinal movement on the top of the mast and is adapted to be driven along the tree to strip all limbs from the tree and also to remove the top portion of the tree at either a predetermined length or diameter. After the tree has been delimbed and topped, it is dropped by the transfer grapple into one of two sets of collection arms positioned at intervals along opposite sides of the mast and adapted to hold a large number of delimbed, topped and sorted trees to be transported by the tree harvester to desired collection points where the trees are deposited in separate sorted stacks. The positioning of collection arms on opposite sides of the mast allows the operator to sort the delimbed and topped trees (e.g. according to length or type of wood) and drop them into the appropriate collection arms.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Dean W. Shields Toledo, Ohio [21]Appl. No. 45,314 [22] Filed June 11, 1970 [45] Patented Nov. 30, 1971[73] Assignee Owens-Illinois, Inc.

[54] TREE HARVESTER 9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S. Cl ..l44/309AC,144/3 D, 144/2 2 [51] Int. Cl A0lg 23/02 [50] Field of Search 144/2 2,3D, 34 R, 34 E, 309 AC [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,161,734 6/1939 Wheless 144/3 D 3,329,184 7/1967 Longert. 144/3 D3,461,926 8/1969 Larson 144/2 Z 3,531,235 9/1970 Boyd et a1 144/3 DPrimary ExaminerGerald A. Dost AuorneysAlan J. Steger and E. J. HollerABSTRACT: A novel and improved tree-harvesting method and apparatusadapted to cut, delimb, top, sort, transport, and deposit a plurality oftrees in two sorted stacks at a desired collection point. The treeharvester features a horizontally oriented mast which is mounted on amobile vehicle. A butt shear and felling grapple are mounted at one endof the mast and are adapted to grasp and sever a standing tree and pivotit to a substantially horizontal position overlying the mast where it isgrasped and securely held by a transfer grapple. A combination delimberand top shear is mounted for longitudinal movement on the top of themast and is adapted to be driven along the tree to strip all limbs fromthe tree and also to remove the top portion of the tree at either apredetermined length or diameter. After the tree has been delimbed andtopped, it is dropped by the transfer grapple into one of two sets ofcollection arms positioned at intervals along opposite sides of the mastand adapted to hold a large number of delimbed, topped and sorted treesto be transported by the tree harvester to desired collection pointswhere the trees are deposited in separate sorted stacks. The positioningof collection arms on opposite sides of the mast allows the operator tosort the delimbed and topped trees (e.g. according to length or type ofwood) and drop them into the appropriate collection arms.

PAIENTEnwuv 30 I97| 3.623 521 SHEET 2 OF 2 FIG. 2

I N VEN TOR.

DEAN \U .SWELDS 6.3. HAL

PTTTQRUQQR TREE HARVESTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to a novel method and apparatus for harvesting and processingtrees.

More specifically, this invention relates to an improved tree harvesterof the type disclosed in copending U.S. Ser. No. 877,937 filed Nov. l9,1969 and assigned to the same assignee as the subject invention.

Historically, trees have been harvested by methods requiring varioussequences of operations and the use of a number of different tools,tractors, horses, saws, skidders, trucks, cranes and the like. Morespecifically, trees have been felled by using handsaws manually,manipulated power saws, axes, wedges and guide ropes. These proceduresobviously require a considerable amount of manual labor. In order toreduce the amount and cost of the manual laborvarious machines have beenproposed heretofore for felling trees, but such machines have not beenfound to be sufficiently practical for harvesting trees from a forest. 7

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a noveltree-harvesting machine which completely processes a tree and overcomesthe disadvantages associated with previously known tree-harvestingmachinery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a uniquetree-harvesting machine which will cut, delimb, top, sort, transport,and deposit a plurality of trees in separate sorted stacks at desiredcollection points.

In general, the tree-harvesting machine of this invention features asubstantially horizontally extending mast which is mounted on a mobilevehicle. A butt shear and felling grapple are mounted at one end of themast and are adapted to grasp and sever a standing tree and pivot it toa substantially horizontal position overlying the mast. A transfergrapple is mounted on the mast near the same end as the butt shear andfelling grapple and is adapted to receive and securely hold the treeafter it has been laid down by the felling grapple. The novel treeharvester of this invention further includes a combination delimber andtop shear which is mounted for longitudinal movement on the top of thehorizontal mast and is adapted to be driven along the tree to strip alllimbs from the tree and to remove the top portion of the tree at eithera predetermined length or predetermined diameter. Two separatetree-collection means are attached to opposite sides of the horizontalmast and are adapted to receive a large number of delimbed, topped andsorted trees to be transported by the tree harvester to a collectionpoint where the trees can be dropped in separate sorted stacks. Thepositioning of collection arms on both sides of the mast allows theoperator to sort the delimbed and topped trees (e.g. according to lengthor type of wood) and drop them into the appropriate collection anns.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will becomeobvious upon reference to the following detailed description of theinvention and the drawings illustrating the preferred embodimentthereof.

,IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved treeharvester of this invention as it initially grasps and severs a firststanding tree at ground level.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the improved harvester of FIG. I afterit has pivoted the first tree to a substantially horizontal position,delimbed and topped the first tree, and is approaching a second standingtree.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A novel and improved treeharvester is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and is indicated generally by thenumeral 10. A mobile vehicle supporting and powering the tree-harvestingapparatus of this invention is indicated generally by the numeral 12 andmay comprise any suitable mobile vehicle such as a tractor mounted onlarge rubber-tired wheels 14 which are connected by means of axles l6.Mounted on a front panel 18 of the mobile vehicle 12 is an operator cab20 from which an operator can easily view the trees which are to beharvested and control the harvesting mechanisms of this machine. Themobile vehicle 12 may be of any suitable type which is adapted tosupport the tree-harvester apparatus and convey it into a forest typearea. In addition, the mobile vehicle 12 includes power plant units (notshown) which are of standard types suitable to propel the vehicle 12 andprovide power for operating various tree-harvesting apparatus which willbe hereinafter described.

The main structural component of the tree-harvesting apparatus of thisinvention is a mast 22 which is mounted in a generally horizontalposition on the mobile vehicle 12. The horizontal mast 22 includes adelimber head stopping member 24 at its rear end and a curved rampsurface 26 to accommodate felling grapple unit 28 at its front end.

The felling grapple unit 28 is mounted on the curved portion 26 of themast 22 for rolling movement thereon. The felling grapple unit 28includes four grasping arms 30 which as can be seen in FIG. 1 areadapted to securely hold and position the trunk of a standing tree, suchas first standing tree 32. Mounted at the bottom of the curved portionof the mast 22 is a butt shear mechanism 34. The butt shear mechanismincludes a movable shearing blade 36 and stationary shearing blade 38.The movable shearing blade 36 is hydraulically actuatable to pivot intoshearing contact with fixed blade 38 to thereby sever the trunk of thetree positioned therebetween. Thus, as can be seen in FIG. I, the fourgrasping arms 30 of the felling grapple unit 38 securely hold andposition the trunk of first standing tree 32 while the cutting blades 36and 38 of the butt shear 34 sever the tree 32 at a location close to theground level. The felling grapple unit 28 is then actuatable to bedriven along the curved portion 26 of the mast 22 to pivot the firststanding tree 33 through to a position parallel to and overlying thehorizontal mast 22. The felling grapple unit 28 will be moved on thecurved portion of the mast 22 by any suitable drive means (not shown)such as a hydraulic means or a mechanical cable drive means.

Fixed on the top of the mast 22 near the same end as the felling grappleunit 28 is a transfer grapple unit 40. The transfer grapple unit 40includes four grasping arms 42 which are very similar to the graspingarms 30 on the felling grapple unit 28. It is the function of thegrasping arms 42 on the transfer grapple 40 to securely hold andposition the trees in an overlying position with respect to the mast 22while the delimbing and topping functions are performed by apparatus tobe described hereinafter. When the first standing tree 32 has beenpivoted by means of the felling grapple unit 28 to the position shown inFIG. 2, (where the felling grapple 28' and its grasping an'ns 36 areshown in phantom lines) the grasping arms 42 of the transfer grapple 40are closed to grasp and securely hold the tree 32. At this time, thegrasping arms 30 may be opened and the felling grapple unit 28 drivendownwardly along the curved portion 26 of the mast 22 (as shown in thesolid lines in FIG. 2) in preparation for grasping and severing a secondstanding tree 32a.

A combination delimber and top shear unit 44 is mounted on and adaptedfor movement along the length of mast 22. The details and operation ofthis combination delimber and top shear unit 44 are identical to thatunit disclosed in copending U.S. Ser. No. 877,937 filed Nov. 19, 1969and assigned to the same assignee as the subject invention. In summary,this delimber unit 44 includes a pair of delimbing blades 46 which arespring biased into circumferential engagement with the tree. Thedelimbing blades 46 are adapted to strip branches from the tree 32 asthe delimber unit 44 is moved axially along the tree. Actuating meansare provided to open the delimbing blades prior to the acceptance ofanother tree to be processed. Also included in the delimber unit 44 is atop shear device 48 which comprises a pair of knife edge blades whichare actuatable to shear through the tree trunk to thereby remove the topportion 50 of the tree 32. The top shear device 48 is adapted to beautomatically actuated at either a predetermined length of the treetrunk or at a predetermined diameter. For example, if it is desired tohave the tree cut at a predetermined length of 50 feet, the top shearmechanism 56 can be set to automatically shear off the top of the treewhen it reaches a 50-foot length as it passes along the tree; or, if itis desired to have no portion of the resulting tree trunk with adiameter of less than 3 inches the top shear may be set to sense adiameter of 3 inches and automatically shear 05 the top of the trees atthat point.

In summary, the operation of the delimber and -top shear unit 44 is asfollows. As the unit 44 proceeds back along mast 22 (FIG. 1) to aposition adjacent to the transfer grapple 40 the delimbing blades 46 andthe top shear device 48 are opened to receive the next tree to beprocessed. Once the standing tree 32 has been severed and pivoted by thefelling grapple 28 to the position shown in FIG. 2, where it is held bythe transfer grapple 40, the delimbing blades 46 are closed around thetrunk of the tree and the delimber unit driven along the tree to therebystrip all branches from the tree. When the delimbing unit 44 reacheseither a predetermined length of the tree or a predetermined diameter ofthe tree, such as the position shown in FIG. 2, the top shear mechanismis actuated to shear off the top portion 50 and the delimber unit 44passes to a location beyond the now delimbed and topped tree 32.

It is, at this point, while the delimbed and topped tree 32 is held bythe grasping arms 42 of the transfer grapple unit 40, when the improvedconcept of this invention becomes important. in accordance with theimproved concept of this invention a plurality of collection arms 52 and54 are provided on both sides of the mast 22 and adapted to hold fortransfer with the tree-harvester a number of processed trees. The pairsof collection arms 52 and 54 on opposite sides of the mast 22 areindividually operable to pivot downwardly to simultaneously drop abundle of processed trees at a predetermined collection point.Heretofore, tree harvesters of this type have contained only one set ofcollection arms so that all trees processed by the machine were droppedinto this collection means for storage and transport with the machine.The improved apparatus of this invention includes two separatecollection means 52 and 54 thereby affording the operator theopportunity to sort the processed trees according to their length ortype of wood. The grasping arms 42 on the transfer grapple 40 areadapted to pivot downwardly to either side of the mast. Thus, theoperator may selectively drop a processed tree into either of thecollection means 52 or 54. For the purposes of illustration, thetree-harvester 10 of this invention has been drawn to show thecollection means 52 holding trees of relatively short length while thecollection means 54 is holding trees of longer length. As seen in FIG.2, the tree 32 has been topped at a length corresponding to the longertree being held by collection means 54 so that the operator wouldactuate the grasping arms 42 adjacent the collection means 54 to dropthe tree 32 into the collection means 54. Similarly, if the tree 32 hasbeen topped at a much shorter length the operator would actuate theopposite two grasping arms 42 adjacent to the collection means 52 tothereby drop the shorter length tree into the collection means 52. itshould be noted also, that the selection made by the operator may bebased on the type of wood contained in the individual tree beingprocessed rather than on length or other size considerations. Thecollection arms 52 and 54 are individually actuatable to be pivoteddownwardly to drop the bundle of processed trees contained therein at apredetermined collection point. Thus, the operator may individually dropall of the short trees, for example, contained in collection means 52 ata desired collection point while simultaneously keeping the long treescontained in collection means 54 for deposit at a later collectionpoint.

Thus, the improved tree-harvesting concept of this invention provides aunique tree-harvesting machine which is capable of completely processinga plurality of trees and delivering them in two separate sorted groupsto a predetermined collection point. Once the operator has directed theequipment to a given tree such that it has been grasped by the fellinggrapple unit 28 and severed by the butt shear device 34, the tree isthen automatically pivoted to a substantially horizontal position whereit is grasped and held above the mast 22 by the grasping arms 42 on thetransfer grapple 40. The delimber blades 46 are then closed into contactwith the tree 32 and the delimber unit 44 is driven along the mast 22 toremove all limbs from the tree 32. Once the delimber unit 44 reacheseither a predetermined length or a predetermined diameter, as describedpreviously, the top shear 48 removes the top portion 50 of the tree 32.The delimber unit 44 is then moved past the tree and the now delimbedand topped tree is releaseable by the arms 42 into either the collectionmeans 52 on one side of the mast 22 or the collection means 54 on theother side of the mast 22 at the discretion of the operator. Asdiscussed previously, the inclusion of two separate collection means 52and 54 allows the operator to sort the processed trees according totheir physical characteristics, such as length or type of wood. Itshould be noted that as soon as the tree 32 is grasped and held by thearms 42 on the transfer grapple 40, the felling grapple unit 28 is moveddownwardly as shown in FIG. 2. Then, the operator may proceed to advancethe harvester 10 so that the felling grapple unit 28 is positioned tograsp a second tree 320 while the first tree is being delimbed, toppedand sorted. As soon as the first tree 32 has been released by theholding arms 42 into one of the two collection means 52 and 54, thesecond tree 32a will be sheared by the butt shear 34 and pivoted intoposition to be held by the arms 42 for delimbing, topping and sorting.Thus, while one tree is being processed, the operator may position theequipment to grasp and shear the next tree so that the harvestingprocess becomes a continuous one.

Therefore, it should be clear that a continuous tree harvester isprovided by this invention which is adapted to completely process treesin an extremely fast and economical manner. Previously, such treeharvesters have been adapted to sever and delimb only one tree at a timeprior to approaching a second tree. In addition, they were not equippedto stack and carry a number of processed trees for dumping in a bundleat a predetermined collection point. In other words, previous suchharvesters would process one tree at a time and drop it individually onthe ground for collection at a later time. This, therefore, required theuse of a separate tree-gathering machine. in contracts to this, thenovel tree harvester of this invention is capable of sorting into twogroups on the machine a plurality of trees for transport with themachine and then dumping them in two separate sorted groups atpredetermined collection points. Thus, this self-transporting feature ofthe subject invention eliminates the need for a tree-collection machineto be used for collecting individual trees deposited randomly throughoutthe forest. In addition, the machine of this invention eliminates thetime and labor involved in sorting trees at the collection point.

In summation, the novel tree harvester of the subject invention requiresthe labor of only one operator to cut, delimb, top, sort and transport agroup of trees for dumping in two sorted stacks at desired collectionpoints. In contrast to this, previously known procedures would requireseveral pieces of equipment and several operators to accomplish the sameresult. Thus, with the tree-harvesting apparatus and method of thisinvention considerable expense is saved both in machinery and labor overpreviously known tree-harvesting methods.

lclaim:

1. Tree-harvesting apparatus comprising, in combination:

a mobile vehicle;

mast means mounted on said mobile vehicle and oriented in asubstantially horizontal direction;

butt shear means mounted on one end of said mast for severing a standingtree;

felling grapple means mounted on said one end of said mast means forgrasping said standing tree while it is being severed by said butt shearmeans and for pivoting the standing tree to a substantially horizontalposition overlying said mast means;

transfer grapple means fixed to said mast means adjacent said fellinggrapple means for receiving a tree from said felling grapple means, forsecurely holding the tree in a substantially horizontal positionoverlying said mast means, and for selectively releasing said tree oneither side of said mast means;

delimbing and topping means mounted for axial movement on said mastmeans for stripping all branches from said tree and for removing the topof the tree;

and separate collection means attached to opposite sides of said mastmeans for receiving a number of similarly selected delimbed and toppedtrees selectively released by said transfer grapple means for transportwith said tree-harvesting apparatus.

2. Tree-harvesting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each ofsaid separate collection means attached to opposite sides of said mastmeans includes a plurality of pivotable collection arms adapted toreceive and hold a number of similarly selected delimbed and toppedtrees selectively released by said transfer grapple means, and thepivotable arms comprising each of said separate collection means beingadapted to simultaneously pivot downwardly to drop the collection ofsimilarly selected trees carried thereon.

3. Tree-harvesting apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidtransfer grapple means includes holding arms mounted on opposite sidesthereof and movable into and out of holding engagement with the treepivoted into overlying relationship with said mast means by said fellinggrapple means, the individual holding arms on opposite sides of saidtransfer grapple means being pivotable downwardly to selectively releasesaid tree on either side of said mast means.

4. Tree-harvesting apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said mastmeans terminates at said one end in an arcuate ramp portion.

5. Tree-harvesting apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said buttshear means is fixedly mounted on the lower end of said arcuate rampportion of said mast means.

6. Tree-harvesting apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein fellinggrapple means is mounted for relative movement on said arcuate rampportion of said mast means.

7. The method of harvesting trees comprising the steps of grasping astanding tree, severing the tree at a point near its base, pivoting thesevered tree to a substantially horizontal orientation, supporting saidtree in an elevated position while maintaining its substantiallyhorizontal orientation, delimbing said tree while it is supported in asubstantially horizontal position, topping said tree while it issupported in a substantially horizontal position, selectively sortingsaid tree for storage in one of two selective storage areas, and storingsaid sorted tree topped along with similarly sorted trees in an elevatedand substantially horizontal position in one of said two selectivestorage areas.

8. The method of claim 7 further including the step of releasing saidselectively stored trees from one of said two selective storage areas tothereby deposit said selectively sorted trees from said one storage areain a stack.

9. The method of claim 8 further including the step of releasing saidselectively stored trees from the other of said two selective storageareas to thereby deposit said selectively sorted trees from said otherstorage area in a stack.

1. Tree-harvesting apparatus comprising, in combination: a mobilevehicle; mast means mounted on said mobile vehicle and oriented in asubstantially horizontal direction; butt shear means mounted on one endof said mast for severing a standing tree; felling grapple means mountedon said one end of said mast means for grasping said standing tree whileit is being severed by said butt shear means and for pivoting thestanding tree to a substantially horizontal position overlying said mastmeans; transfer grapple means fixed to said mast means adjacent saidfelling grapple means for receiving a tree from said felling grapplemeans, for securely holding the tree in a substantially horizontalposition overlying said mast means, and for selectively releasing saidtree on either side of said mast means; delimbing and topping meansmounted for axial movement on said mast means for stripping all branchesfrom said tree and for removing the top of the tree; and separatecollection means attached to opposite sides of said mast means forreceiving a number of similarly selected delimbed and topped treesselectively released by said transfer grapple means for transport withsaid tree-harvesting apparatus.
 2. Tree-harvesting apparatus as setforth in claim 1 wherein each of said separate collection means attachedto opposite sides of said mast means includes a plurality of pivotablecollection arms adapted to receive and hold a number of similarlyselected delimbed and topped trees selectively released by said transfergrapple means, and the pivotable arms comprising each of said separatecollection means being adapted to simultaneously pivot downwardly todrop the collection of siMilarly selected trees carried thereon. 3.Tree-harvesting apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said transfergrapple means includes holding arms mounted on opposite sides thereofand movable into and out of holding engagement with the tree pivotedinto overlying relationship with said mast means by said felling grapplemeans, the individual holding arms on opposite sides of said transfergrapple means being pivotable downwardly to selectively release saidtree on either side of said mast means.
 4. Tree-harvesting apparatus asset forth in claim 3 wherein said mast means terminates at said one endin an arcuate ramp portion.
 5. Tree-harvesting apparatus as set forth inclaim 4 wherein said butt shear means is fixedly mounted on the lowerend of said arcuate ramp portion of said mast means.
 6. Tree-harvestingapparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein felling grapple means ismounted for relative movement on said arcuate ramp portion of said mastmeans.
 7. The method of harvesting trees comprising the steps ofgrasping a standing tree, severing the tree at a point near its base,pivoting the severed tree to a substantially horizontal orientation,supporting said tree in an elevated position while maintaining itssubstantially horizontal orientation, delimbing said tree while it issupported in a substantially horizontal position, topping said treewhile it is supported in a substantially horizontal position,selectively sorting said tree for storage in one of two selectivestorage areas, and storing said sorted tree topped along with similarlysorted trees in an elevated and substantially horizontal position in oneof said two selective storage areas.
 8. The method of claim 7 furtherincluding the step of releasing said selectively stored trees from oneof said two selective storage areas to thereby deposit said selectivelysorted trees from said one storage area in a stack.
 9. The method ofclaim 8 further including the step of releasing said selectively storedtrees from the other of said two selective storage areas to therebydeposit said selectively sorted trees from said other storage area in astack.